brenner



March 8, 1932. R. BRENNER 1,848,692

STAGE DECORATING Filed Se t. 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 VT- G 5 8 -s 6- FIG z 9 5- T FIG 3 INVENTOR RUTH BRENNER.

ATTORN EY March 8, 1932. R. BRENNER STAGE DECORATING Filed Sept. 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4

LNVENTOR RUTH BRENNER ATTORN EY Patented Mar. 8, 1932 UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE- RU'TH BRENNER, F YORK, N. 'Y.

STAGE DECORATING Application filed September 27, 1930. Serial No. 484,731.

mtheatre building, and it travels. with th scenery, should more-than one theatre house the show. As a rule, these arches are composed of one velvet covered flat shoved in vfrom each side and with a matching border hung from the fiys. All three partsmay be moved closer together or further apart, to regulate the opening for the stage. As the two winglpieces are each only six feet wide, the opening cannot be closed. Most stages close them in to an openingof from twenty toforty feet with an average-of thirty feet for dramatic productions and intimate revues. i v y 7 Another type of arch is constructed of wooden frames or of one frame in the shape of n arch with draw curtains directly behind it to close off the inner stage. This is the typev most generallyused for musical shows, and sometimes there is a second arch withlits own set of draw curtains some feet further back. Its purpose is to obtain a considerable smaller scene space for intimate numbers. The main arch is always placed be- ,hind the house or act curtain and is far enough'away from this to leave space for act in one. All these arches are held in place with regular stage braces. v

In all of these arrangements, the control of various settings is obtained by the wings ii positioned to various positions between the frontand back of the stage and accordingly, only very limited stage effects can be produced. v

It is one of the prime objects of my invens tionto provide an arrangement of scenery which maybe utilized to obtain as small or as large scene space as is desiredfor various stage plays, musicales intimate revues, or for ;-anyacts which are shown on the legitimate eo'stage.

A further obj ect of my invention is to provide a novel arrangement of proscenium which controls all stage {effects from the front of the stage.

Heretofore wings, set pieces, and properties, generally used on the stage, have been supported on elongated arms as is commonly done with easels. In such an arrangement, only one movement, such as tilting the member back and forth, was possible. Furthermore, the supporting arm extends to the rear of the piece. Inasmuch as the actors, in moving toand from the stage, must pass between thewings, pieces and other properties, the arms formed serious obstructions, which impeded ready ingress and egress from. the stage.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel support for stage pieces which will enable movement thereof in any desired direction .and which will so be placed as to leave the space between stage pieces unobstructed.

With these and other objects in view, my

invention consists in the arrangement, combination, and construction of the various parts of my improved device as described in the specification, claimed in my claims, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: i

Figure 1 is an elevation front view of my improved device showing six wings, three on each side and three drop curtains.

Figures 2 and 3 are elevation front views of my improved device showing various arrgngements and designs which may be effect- Figure 4 is an elevation back view of one wing showing the ball and socket, the slide groove, theratchet, and method of support.

Figures 5 and 6 are parts showing the ratchet and slide groove.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the stage arrangement. I

In Figure 1, I have shown nine sections. However, it will be obvious, to those skilled in the art, that a greater or smaller number of sections may be used. All nine pieces are woodenframes covered with any material desired. All are mounted close to each other, 109

Figure 3 is an illustration showing the wing pieces 4, 5, 6,7, 8, and 9 closed in to form a large door. These are to be finished offat,

the top by the border pieces 1, 2, 3 in such a way that the third piece'rea'ches-the floor andcompletely closes ofi the stage proper. In this case, the wingipieces'would remain at the sides, or they'could close after the border pieces have dropped or at the same timeas:

giving: the efl'ect of a they are. dropping,

double--closing-ofi 'of the stage. Or, the side,

pieces need 'notcomplete their closing, but may compose themselves lnto any: regular composition required by the art director.

By"regular is I'neant that the edges of the borders are-"on a true horizontal plane and that the-edges ofthe wings are on a 1 mg 1 ticalfplane.

ingi-on regular horizontal and vertical lines, "all; nine pieces would be capableof tilting vertically, sliding in a horizontal are as well as sliding in and out. p V an'unlimited number of modernistic des gns;

These eflec't's wouldbe'created in the borders 'byinakingth'emhang crooked, according to marked'ropes handled from the fly gallery.

The manner ofoperating the wing is'illustrated in Figure 4, which is a reanview of one wing, each wing being operated asthe one illustrated. The' wmg is composed'ofa wooden frame and a cr0ssp1ece'2. On cross piece 2 is supported a ball andsocket 3"which' allows thewing to move in any direction. As will 'be understood, the wing when once positioned is held rigidly in position. The socket 3, in conjunction with the socket 4,

will'permit the wing" be tilted and moved in any direction;

For sliding in and out, I have provided two arms- 5, each having a groove 6 with pins 7 which holdthe'two'pieces' rigid, one end of one arm 5 being. connected directly to the ball of the ball and socket, and one end of the sec'ond'piece being connected to one side ofthe pivot 4. The other side of the pivot 4 is connected to brace 8 which is held by flange 10 and boltedto thefloor with bolts- 11. The entire arrangement, is so placed that the wings can be slid-completely out, or all the wa ybl'aclnm Figure?) illustrates the details" a the pivot.

qishowjing thefteeth 12;, Member 8 is rigid, member 521s movediup vor down as desired,

and,-the. teeth. 12,.are moved. to engage each.

, pieces extend ed could form av large door.

This would achieve 1,848,692 H J i f j shape,;may be'closed-in or enlarged to any proportion. Settings may be used behind this arch, but its chief value, aside from the artistic effect or novelty, is to eliminate wing settling-entirely so as: to make possible in-' stantaneous changes, and minimize the stage,

crew and labor when troupingthe show. I

.It is obvious, that with the use of this arch'used with draperies with or without props or set pieces, andwit'h possibly: some painteddrops, the original cost for a production would be-a fraction of the customary expense.

Although I i have illustrated my invention with a specific arrangementof the wings and drops, other arrangements, such as an interlacing of the wingsandfdrops, may be' .fol- I v p lowed. Furthermore, although for purposes F igure 2- 1llustrate s how, besides perform? of illustration the wings anddrops are shown I near the frontoff the stage, they may also'be arranged at. any point along the stage come within the scope of'jmy invention. 5

Although for 1 purposes or; l stration; I' have shown my invention connection with 7 stage wings, it will: be obvious. that it "has more general application asjtoother "stag'gej I pieces, properties, etc.

Thus, the new braceor support, herein shown, may be usedfor. all pieceswhi'ch' must" have "some extraneous support; Q'By means of these supports, any piece. coul'dbe readily and quickly placed; onf the stage in any angle andicould' as quickl'ybe removed;

The pieces could be-lifted 'above th'e floor, thus conserving floor space. Inasmuchias the stage. braces, as heretofore.

It will also be evident that thebraC S- VllatIclaiin is:

1 In combination, a stage, alplurality of wings arranged at the front of tliestage and adjacent each other, and means for raising:

and lowering said wings, and means for'mov ing said wings. in, and out and 'universal member for 'rocklng sa1d wings aboutany." axis 7 whereby sa d wlngs .can be arranged; in

any position relative to each other;

v the braces extend in the planejfiofthe pieces,l they leave'f'thejpassages to the jstage clear; eliminating the necessity of stepping over" for tilting said wings at any angle whereby said wings can be arranged in any angular position relative to each other to produce any shape and size of stageopening.

3. In'combination, a stage, a plurality of wings at the front of the stage, means for mounting said wings, and means for moving said wings into any desired angle whereby said Wings vary the size and shape of the stage opening.

4. In combination, a stage wing, a portable support therefor, means secured to said support and wing for rocking said wing to any desired angular position about said support, said support being secured to the rear of said wing whereby it is at all times invisible.

5. In combination, a stage wing, aportable support therefore, a ball and socket means mounted on said support and carrying said wing whereby the wing can be rocked to any desired angular position about said support said support being secured to the rear of said wing whereby it is at all times invisible.

6. In combination, a stage wing, a portable support therefore, means secured to said support for rocking said wing to any desired angular position about said support, and means for moving said wing along said support and for rocking it about a horizontal axis; and means for raising and lowering said wing whereby said wing may assume any position in a fixed space and any angle in the assumed position.

7. In combination, a stage wing, a support therefore, a ball and socket connecting said wing to said support means for rocking said wing to any desired angular position about said support, and means for moving said wing along said support.

8. In combination, stage pieces, portable floor mounted braces for supporting said pieces extending in a direction parallel to the plane of the pieces and in the rear thereof, and means on said braces permitting the setting of said pieces in any desired angle and position.

9. In combination; a stage wing; a bracket member having telescoping parts; a ball and socket member secured to the bracket member and to said wing whereby said wing is movable to any desired angle about said bracket member; said telescoping parts permitting said wing to be moved in and out to any desired position; and a pivotal support for said telescoping member to permit said wing to be raised and lowered to any desired angular position.

10. In combination; a stage wing; a bracket member having telescoping parts; a ball and socket member secured to the bracket member and to said stage wing whereby said wing is movable to any desired angle about said bracket member; said telescoping parts permit-ting said stage wing to be moved in and out to any desired position; and a pivotal support for said telescoping member to permit said stage wing to be raised and lowered to any desired angular position, said bracket member being secured to the rear of said stage Wing whereby it is invisible.

11. In combination; a wing; a bracket member having telescoping parts; a ball and socket member secured to the bracket member and to said wing whereby said wing is movable in any desired angle about said bracket member; said telescoping parts permitting said wing to be moved in and out to any desired position; and a pivotal support for said telescoping member to permit said wing to be raised and lowered to any desired angular position, and further wings having similar support for moving said wing to any angular position, said wings being located near the front of the stage and at both sides and top whereby any desired opening eifect can be obtained.

12. In combination; a wing; a bracket member having telescoping parts; a ball and socket member secured to the bracket member and to said wing whereby said wing is movable in any desired angle about said bracket piece; said telescoping parts permitting said wing to be moved in and out of any desired position; and a pivotal support for said telescoping parts to permit said wing to be raised and lowered to any desired angular position; and further wings having similar supports for permitting said wings to be moved to any angular position, said wings being located near the front of the stage and at both sides and top whereby any desired opening effect can be obtained, said bracket members for supporting said wings extending in the direction parallel to the plane of the wing whereby the space between the wing is left unobstructed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RUTH BRENNER. 

